New Delhi:The Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi announced a free of cost travel scheme for women in Delhi public buses on Tuesday coinciding with the festival of Bhai Dooj.
Women will be given pink tickets in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses to avail the free-ride scheme.
Delhi govt announces free bus ride scheme for women The Delhi government will reimburse transporters based on the number of pink tickets issued.
CM Kejriwal also addressed the nation at 11 am on Tuesday through the Arvind Kejriwal application to "share the vision behind making bus travel free for women."
While announcing the scheme Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pitched the idea as a way of ensuring the safety of women and increasing their role in the national capital's economy.
"Free-ride for women in Delhi buses has started from today. Congratulations Delhi! Apart from women safety, it will also increase the role of women in Delhi economy...," Sisodia said in a tweet in Hindi.
On Monday night, the government issued a notification implementing the free-ride scheme from Tuesday.
The facility will also be available in Noida-NCR, airport and other special services operated by the DTC and cluster scheme operators.
During his Independence Day speech, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said free-ride for women in both DTC and cluster buses will start from October 29, on the occasion of 'Bhai Dooj'.
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The Delhi cabinet had on August 29 given in-principle approval to the scheme of providing free bus rides to women, but put a rider on female employees of the city government that they have to give up their transport allowance to avail the facility.
Women employees of the Delhi government, local bodies and undertakings will not be entitled to transport allowance if they opt for a free ride in DTC and cluster buses, according to the government.
Public buses in Delhi carry over 45 lakh passengers each day, according to latest official figures.
